Islands of the Pacific Northwest

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:

You’ll never be far from the ocean during this multi-national tour in the Pacific Northwest.  We will explore areas in the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada and also in the US on the Olympic Peninsula, Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands.  This tour is a treat for the senses, as you’ll enjoy seeing sparkling waters and rocky shorelines, smelling the salt air and the aromatic forests, listening to the waves lapping on the shore, feeling the wind in your hair, and tasting the wonderful local seafood.  The San Juan Islands, recently listed by USA Today as one of “The World’s Top Bike Rides” is where we’ll have the opportunity to watch the Fourth of July fireworks in Friday Harbor!  This will be the seventh time this popular tour has been offered to BAC members. The Ride Directors for this tour live in the Pacific Northwest and are excited to bring BAC members to this beautiful area they call home.

E-bikes and tandems are welcome.  Please contact the ride leader if you plan to use either one. 

RIDE RATING:

This tour is rated a 2B.  It has 4 required ride days and the rest are days where participants can choose their destinations.  The majority of the routes follow lightly traveled roads with rolling terrain. While there are no long sustained climbs on this tour, you will have frequent use of your lowest gears.  No climbs exceed a 10% grade.  On this bike tour you and your bike will be making 4 scenic ferry crossings, and more depending on the selections you make on your choice days. 

WEATHER: 

Late June and early July are the best weather months for this area.  Weather at this time of year has highs between the upper 70’s to mid 80’s, and lows in the mid 50’s to low 60’s.  July has the least rainfall of any month in the Pacific Northwest, but be prepared for rain just to be safe!  Riders should check the weather forecast before departing and of course, expect the unexpected.

LODGING AND MEALS: 

We are staying at small inns and larger chain hotels. This tour has multi-night stays at three locations. We’ll start the tour at the Best Western hotel near Sea Tac airport and will take a scenic ferry trip to Victoria the next day. We’ll spend three days at the Victoria Airport Days Inn in Sidney, B.C. After arriving in the US, we’ll stay one day at the Holiday Inn Express in Sequim, two days at the Harborside Inn in Port Townsend and 4 days at the Discovery Inn at Friday Harbor. After spending the 4th of July in Friday Harbor, the next day we will board the ferry to Anacortes where we’ll meet a charter bus that will deliver us to the Best Western hotel near the SeaTac airport. We’ll have happy hours each evening where wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks will be provided.  Six breakfasts are included as well as 2 group dinners.

LOGISTICS: 

The tour starts on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Seattle near Sea Tac airport and ends on Thursday, July 6, 2023 again near the SeaTac airport. You will want to fly into SeaTac (SEA) airport. Let the ride leader know if you plan to ship your bike ahead to the hotel. If you drive your car to the start, you will need to arrange for long-term parking near SeaTac airport.

Four ferries will transport us during this tour:  The FRS Clipper will transport us from Seattle to Victoria (PASSPORT REQUIRED). The Blackball Ferry Line will take us from Victoria to Port Angeles (PASSPORT REQUIRED). The Washington State Ferry System will provide us ferries from Port Townsend to Coupeville and from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and then back again to Anacortes. Other than the Victoria Clipper, ferry costs are NOT included.  Estimated cost for four (4) ferries is $100 and less for seniors. You may choose to take additional ferries while we’re staying in Friday Harbor. There is no charge for ferries within the San Juan Islands for bikes and passengers. There is a small charge for passengers and bikes in the Gulf Islands while we are staying in Sidney, B.C.

A van will be available to transport luggage and supplies. Participants are expected to complete the required rides as the van will not serve as a sag vehicle, however the van will be available to assist with any emergencies, or to accommodate riders who are sick or injured.

Optional days: 

Sidney, BC:  You’ll have the opportunity to choose between visiting one of the Canadian Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring Island, the Pender Islands, Mayne Island or Galiano Island, or staying on the Saanich Peninsula to explore Victoria and the famous Butchart Gardens.  Past participants have also enjoyed going on a whale watching cruise, kayaking, or exploring the Sidney Spit, which is located on the north end of Sidney Island and is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

Port Townsend, WA.  With its maritime heritage, artistic spirit and a touch of urban chic, Port Townsend has activities for every taste.  Fort Worden Historical State Park is located just a couple of miles from our hotel and features a fascinating military history, expansive parade lawns and restored Victorian-era officers’ homes, plus 2 miles of beachfront and high bluffs with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  If you’re a movie buff, this is also the location where An Officer and a Gentleman was filmed.  For those who are looking for more cycling miles, we offer a loop ride that also includes scenic Fort Flagler State Park.

San Juan Islands: We’ll stay based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island to give you an opportunity to once again customize your trip.  Many riders will want to take one of the free ferries to Orcas Island, Lopez Island and/or Shaw Island to explore their spectacular beauty.  Others may select to go sea kayaking, sailing, whale watching, hiking or just relaxing with some “island time.”  On the 4th of July we’ll have a front row seat to enjoy the spectacular fireworks over the bay.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION

The estimated cost of this bike tour is $2,425 per person double occupancy for 12 nights, 12 happy hours, 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Dependent on currency exchange rates there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment. Ferry fees are each rider's responsibility.  Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be emailed and participants are expected to bring their own copies.  GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. Additional routes will be available on RWGPS for the optional ride days. You can also print out cue sheets if you wish prior to joining the tour. Luggage will be transported on required ride days. There is an initial deposit of $1300, a payment of $800 due on February 1, 2023 and a final payment of $325 due on March 1, 2023.

SINGLES AND SOLOS POLICY

Singles are a great addition to a ride and we welcome them.  We do not discourage singles from registering.  However, on this bike tour we can only accommodate 2 singles who will share a room with a roommate.  This is because some of the hotels we use have limited bedding options.  We recommend that singles find their own roommate prior to signing up.  Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision.  We do not accept solos, as the number of rooms available are limited due to June/July being high season.

CANCELLATION POLICY    

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

COVID 
All participants must be fully vaccinated including booster shots if applicable and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Director if requested.
If we still have a Covid 19 risk, we will follow all the necessary rules, and change activities as needed to remain Covid compliant, and keep the tour as safe as possible. We will invite participants to a Zoom meeting approximately 45 days prior to the tour start date to finalize our COVID protocols. You may be asked to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public according to the state's mandate.  

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Directors are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Director. While on the ride, support your Ride Director with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Director informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Director’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and repatriation when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour), has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following departure from home. There is also limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

Please be sure to read the ride description carefully, respond promptly to calls for payments and emails from the Ride Director.  While on the ride, consider offering to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation.  All our Ride Directors are volunteers, and we ask that participants respect their decisions.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit (insert dollar amount) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Director, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Waitlisting is encouraged.